Brandon Sun - PRINT EDITION
A man who cut himself and tried to sign papers in blood because he was frustrated with MPI has been ordered to do community service work.
"I’m not a mental health specialist. It just seems a little odd," Judge Krystyna Tarwid commented as she sentenced Gary Philip Quinn in Brandon court this week.
Quinn, 48, pleaded guilty to causing a disturbance.
Crown attorney Grant Hughes said Quinn was at the Manitoba Public Insurance office on First Street on June 27.
Unhappy with his dealings with MPI, Quinn pulled out a folding knife from its leather case and sliced a 2 1/2-inch cut into his left forearm.
He then took some documents that MPI wanted him to sign and attempted to sign them in blood.
Police were notified that Quinn had then left in a vehicle and he was stopped on the 100-block of Van Horne Avenue East and arrested.
The knife was found in the vehicle inside its leather case.
Quinn had a shallow, slightly bleeding cut to his forearm and was taken to hospital.
Quinn had a shallow, slightly bleeding cut to his forearm and was taken to hospital.
His lawyer, Bob Harrison, told court that Quinn was frustrated with MPI over the licensing or registration of a snowmobile.
MPI was charging Quinn $159, which he believed he shouldn’t have to pay. Quinn believed MPI staff weren’t listening to him, Harrison said.
So Quinn cut himself to make a point.
Quinn told Tarwid that he believed that he’d been forced to pay a fee that he shouldn’t have — if MPI wanted his money "for nothing," then they could have his blood too.
Quinn described the cut on his arm as three-quarter-inch long and said he didn’t mean any harm.
Harrison asked Tarwid to sentence his client with a conditional discharge.
But Tarwid said a discharge wasn’t appropriate and imposed a one-year suspended sentence with orders that Quinn take counselling as directed, including mental health counselling and do 50 hours of community service work.
Tarwid also said that Quinn could have blood-spotted papers — which were seized by police — back or he can at least have copies if MPI makes claim to the originals.
» ihitchen@brandonsun.com
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition December 21, 2012
We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high. If you thought it was well written, do the same. If it doesn’t meet your standards, mark it accordingly.
You can also register and/or login to the site and join the conversation by leaving a comment.
Rate it yourself by rolling over the stars and clicking when you reach your desired rating. We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high.
The Brandon Sun does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. Comments are moderated before publication. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
A man who cut himself and tried to sign papers in blood because he was frustrated with MPI has been ordered to do community service work.
"I’m not a mental health specialist. It just seems a little odd," Judge Krystyna Tarwid commented as she sentenced Gary Philip Quinn in Brandon court this week.
Already subscribed? Login to view full article.
Not yet a subscriber? Click Here to Signup
A man who cut himself and tried to sign papers in blood because he was frustrated with MPI has been ordered to do community service work.
"I’m not a mental health specialist. It just seems a little odd," Judge Krystyna Tarwid commented as she sentenced Gary Philip Quinn in Brandon court this week.
A subscription to the Brandon Sun Newspaper is required to view this article. Please update your user information if you are already a newspaper subscriber.
Most Popular
Sort by: Newest to Oldest | Oldest to Newest | Most Popular 0 Comments
You can comment on most stories on brandonsun.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.